The other day, I received an offer via e-mail for freelance translation services from a person who guaranteed almost 24 hour service (from 4 AM to midnight), a ridiculously low rate and an incredible return speed on completed projects.

This is incredible, indeed. In a market where freelancers are offering more and more business and services that are on the high end of technology and cater to the needs and busy schedules of entrepreneurs, such an offer says one thing to me: zero credibility.

Unless this freelancer is in fact a business owner with employees working on different shifts, how can he maintain such an offer at such a low rate? And even if this is the case, why offer such a low rate for true quality work?

The answer to this question can often be found by simply reading the projects that were done by this person. Quality and style are often seriously lacking, not to mention the mistakes that are left in the documents!

My rates are not among the highest. They are average. My services are not available 24h per day but I am flexible and have a keen sense of urgency and a great respect for deadlines. My speed is impressive, but I do take the time to produce a quality document that has been revised and that reflects my client’s image and needs.

I take great pride in my customer service and excellence is something you must pay for. Do not be influenced by so-called experts who offer you the moon and the sky in order to hook you, but on whom you cannot count to obtain a result that meets your needs and expectations, as well as what you deserve.